Latest news with #GoogleNest
Gizmodo
a day ago
- Gizmodo
Google Nest WiFi Points and Router Bundle Hits All-Time Low, and It Wasn't Even on Prime Day Deal
If you're still using just a single router in your home, you might be succumbing yourself to spotty internet. There's nothing more frustrating than when tech doesn't work properly so let's avoid it like the plague—no more webpages getting hung up while trying to load. Google Nest Wi-Fi is a system set up with Wi-Fi extending nodes and right now you can score a three–pack for just $124—a 22% discount ahead of new semester, down from $160. See at Amazon The pack comes with one Google Nest Wi-Fi router and two extension points. Together, all three units can can cover and area of up to 5,400 feet and can handle connections a ton of devices at once. So you can have a smart TV in every room, a few Amazon Echos or Google Assistants, a smart fridge, smart light bulbs in every fixture, a robot vacuum, game consoles, and more all connected and run into no issues providing Wi-Fi and internet access to them all. The Nest Wi-Fi system is scalable, allowing you to turn it into a mesh network by adding additional routers to your home. Each work together to blanket your home in strong, reliable internet, with each node adding another 1,600 feet. That means you can eliminate issues in those weird corners of your home that struggle to maintain a good connection to your existing router now. Nothing worse that the Wi-Fi crapping the bed on your while you're either in bed scrolling or crapping on the toilet. Turning your home into a mesh network will help prevent sitting there, trapped, and waiting for that TikTok your friend sent your to buffer. Never again. Each point even has a built-in smart speaker with Google Assistant, so you can play music or manage your Wi-Fi network with just your voice. The system works intelligently behind the scenes, shifting which node you're connected to seamlessly. This means you can take a video call on your laptop and walk with it from your bedroom, to your living room, to the basement and not notice a shift in internet connection or stability. Setup is easy and you can even decide to prioritize certain devices for faster speeds. Great for if you're downloading a huge game file on an Xbox or PlayStation or playing an online multiplayer game. The three-pack of the Google Nest Wi-Fi router with two Wi-Fi extension points is normally listed at $160. However, that has been cut down hard, now with a 22% discount. That means you're only paying $124 for the bundle. See at Amazon
CNET
2 days ago
- CNET
I Test Home Security Tech for a Living. Here Are the Best Ways to Mount a Camera at Home
I've discussed the best spots to install your security camera as well as the worst places to put cams, but there's another important decision home security adopters must make. What sort of mounting option --how you attach and position the cam -- is best? Security cameras need to stay where they are somehow, and as a result, I've tested models that come with screws, sticky tape, wires and more. Some even give you a few choices for mounting, so I'm going over all the different kinds of mounts and bases, and which I think are best. So, which camera mount is best? Magnetic mounts are some of my favorite camera installations. Chris Monroe/CNET The best camera mounts remain versatile while offering reliability in all kinds of conditions. My personal favorites are screw-in or wire-in mounts that use magnetic connectors for the camera so you can easily adjust or remove it. That includes Google Nest options, custom Arlo magnetic mounts and certain Tapo cams. However, traditional screw-in bases have their advantages, and wireless shelf mounts have a versatility that's hard to beat. However, if you're using an adhesive mount or light bulb socket mount, I've found these options are much more limited in where they can go. I'll take each choice one at a time so you can see what I mean. Screw-in wall bases The Blink Outdoor 4 has an adjustable mount that's sturdy enough to stay at the right angle. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Screw-in bases use a couple of screws to attach a camera base to a wall, so users can then attach the camera to the base and angle it. It's a no-nonsense approach that's very reliable for outdoor camera installation, especially wireless cameras (they work on indoor walls, too). You don't have to worry about the base falling down in a windstorm and they're pretty hardy against other elements. The only trick with screw-in bases is that you need to find the right spot and material to screw them in. That can be harder than it sounds. Screwing into stucco, for example, doesn't work well without specialized components and may damage the stucco. And my house has fiber cement siding, which you can't drill through, so many prime locations for security cameras are off limits. These cases require a little creativity, like finding siding, eaves or a fence post that you can screw into safely -- preferably non-structural wood. Screw-in base with Magnetic mount Magnetic mounts make cams easy to adjust and charge. Chris Monroe/CNET Another type of screw-in mount uses a magnetic base instead of a physical latch-on design to attach the camera. Nest's outdoor floodlight is one example of how these magnetic bases work, but Tapo and many other brands also have them. This is my favorite version of screw-in mounts. The cameras are so easy to pop off and clean, or make small adjustments to the angle to get them just right. The only issue is that wind or time can somewhat dislodge them, so you may need to course-correct after a while. Wired-in mounts Wired-in cams need a junction box but make great options for floodlights. Tyler Lacoma/CNET I prefer wireless cameras outdoors, simply because of the options they open up for placement. But there's another popular type of camera mount, a wired-in solution where the camera is directly connected to the home's electrical system. This is more common with floodlight cameras, larger dome security cameras, any PoE (Power over Ethernet, which requires a cable connection) camera and similar models. On the plus side, you never have to worry about battery issues with these cameras. However, they may fail if your home loses power. Also, they're a bit of work to install. You'll need to replace the base, plus strip and connect three wires, which not everyone is comfortable with. Also, it requires a junction box or similar wired opening, which limits these cameras to spots where lights or cams are already installed. Overall, I liked wired-in solutions for any camera with big light panels, which don't usually play well with battery models. Plug-in shelf mounts (indoor) The Blink Mini 2 offers shelf and wall mounting options, but you'll need an outlet connection. Tyler Lacoma/CNET The quintessential indoor camera is a simple plug-in model that requires a nearby wall outlet, usually with a cable that's around 4 to 6 feet long. No work involved here, just plug and play -- as long as you have a handy shelf or table to put the camera on. This is a strictly indoor mounting option unless you have specialized outdoor-safe cables. It's a simple, cheap choice, but I recommend picking the exact outlet and spot on a shelf where you will use a security camera first. Many of these plug-in models have pan/tilt features, so they can fit in an out-of-the-way place. Wireless shelf mounts Ring's battery cam is on the higher-end pricewise, but offers a versatile, weather resistant option to watch the kids wherever they are. Tyler Lacoma/CNET This is a rare type of shelf and table mount that supports a wireless, battery-powered camera. Only a few brands offer this option. Nest's indoor/outdoor cam has a compatible cam stand that can charge it, but you don't have to plug it in when the camera is charged, which makes it more maneuverable. More versatile is the Ring Outdoor Cam Plus, previously called the Ring Stick Up Cam, which has shelf/table mounts and a built-in battery. I like this option because you can move these cameras around, taking them from a playroom to an entryway to a backyard, whatever you want to keep an eye on. They also have more permanent mounting options. Adhesive sticker mounts Adhesive mounts work well in some scenarios, but aren't a great fit for many security cameras. 3M Some cameras come with bases similar to screw-in models, but with two-sided adhesive stickers to attach the cam. I'm not going to knock these adhesive pads much: They're usually 3M stickers designed for outside use and they're seriously powerful. But they aren't a great fit for security cameras. Security cams, especially outdoor models, tend to be heavy and a single adhesive strip doesn't, in my experience, hold for very long before the weather and weight lead to cameras falling. There's also another issue -- these adhesive stickers require a smooth, flat, very clean surface to work well. That means you can't use them on siding, concrete or any type of wood or stone. They're mostly limited to metal and glass outdoors, so people may have a hard time finding a spot. Only choose this option for small, lightweight security cams. Many cams with adhesive options still include a screw-in alternative. Light bulb mounts Eversecu's budget model is a cheap way to add a security camera but limited in placement. Eversecu Light bulb mounts, like they sound, are used for special security cameras that screw into light bulb sockets, like a socket above your porch or entryway. That sounds convenient, and it absolutely can be in the right situations, but this is probably my least-favorite mounting option. Light bulb cameras are cheap, but they're usually very limited and lack the quality or extra features that other security cams do. You also lose a light in an important spot for a not-as-useful spotlight instead. And while these cams can usually rotate, they are limited to what they can see from a light socket, so you have very few placement options. It's a fun idea, but rarely practical in the real world. I do recommend them for small, out-of-the-way additions for those who don't want to add a bunch of complex home security. What about solar panel add-ons? If you're mounting a wireless outdoor camera, you also have the option of adding a compatible solar panel to most brands. That means you don't have to worry about replacing the rechargeable battery -- but you will need to install the solar panel at the right angle or find a model with a solar panel built in. The process takes extra work and placement, and won't be as effective in every climate. But if you are getting a wireless outdoor camera for the right sunny spot, it's certainly worth considering. Since you're here, why not stop by my guide to the best DIY home security systems, too?
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
If You Invested $1000 in Alphabet a Decade Ago, This is How Much It'd Be Worth Now
For most investors, how much a stock's price changes over time is important. Not only can it impact your investment portfolio, but it can also help you compare investment results across sectors and industries. Another factor that can influence investors is FOMO, or the fear of missing out, especially with tech giants and popular consumer-facing stocks. What if you'd invested in Alphabet (GOOGL) ten years ago? It may not have been easy to hold on to GOOGL for all that time, but if you did, how much would your investment be worth today? Alphabet's Business In-Depth With that in mind, let's take a look at Alphabet's main business drivers. Alphabet is one of the most innovative companies in the modern technological age. Over the last few years, the company has evolved from primarily being a search-engine provider to cloud computing, ad-based video and music streaming, autonomous vehicles, healthcare providers and others. In the online search arena, Google has a monopoly with more than 94% of the online search volume and company is gaining market share in the cloud-computing, driven by continued strength in Google Cloud Platform and Google also enjoys a dominant position in the autonomous vehicles market, thanks to Waymo's relentless efforts. In addition, it has bolstered its footprint in the healthcare industry with its life science division, Verily. The company has also become a renowned name in the world of entertainment on the back of is also known as the maker of smartwatches (Pixel Watch), laptops and tablets (Chromebooks), and smart home products (Google Nest).Alphabet, headquartered in Mountain View, CA, runs several businesses, most of which come under Google, which reports under two segments — Google Services and Google Cloud. The non-Google businesses fall under the Other Bets revenues were $350 billion in 2024, up 14% over 2023. Google Services, Google Cloud and Other Bets generated 87.1%, 12.4% and 0.5% of total revenues, Google Services includes products and services such as ads, Android, Chrome, devices, Gmail, Google Drive, Google Maps, Google Photos, Google Play, Search, and YouTube. The segment generates revenues primarily from performance and brand advertising, which remains crucial for the overall business. Ad revenues accounted for 75.6% of the total revenues in Cloud is comprised of Google Cloud Platform and Google Workspace. Its key capabilities include AI infrastructure, database and analytics, collaboration tools, cybersecurity and generative Bets is a combination of multiple businesses, generating revenues primarily from the sale of healthcare-related and internet services. Bottom Line Putting together a successful investment portfolio takes a combination of research, patience, and a little bit of risk. For Alphabet, if you bought shares a decade ago, you're likely feeling really good about your investment today. A $1000 investment made in July 2015 would be worth $5,247.99, or a gain of 424.80%, as of July 18, 2025, according to our calculations. This return excludes dividends but includes price appreciation. Compare this to the S&P 500's rally of 196.12% and gold's return of 183.10% over the same time frame. Analysts are anticipating more upside for GOOGL. Alphabet is riding on strong cloud and search growth. Google Cloud is benefiting from accelerated growth across AI infrastructure, enterprise AI platform Vertex and strong adoption of Generative AI solutions. The company expects capital expenditures in 2025 to be relatively higher than in 2024, aimed at building technical infrastructure, primarily for servers, followed by data centers and networking. Its dominant position in the search engine market is a strong growth driver. In first-quarter 2025, GOOGL saw continued double-digit revenue growth in Search. Alphabet surpassed 270 million paid subscriptions with YouTube and Google One as key drivers. However, increasing litigation issues are a concern. Intensifying competition from Microsoft and Amazon in cloud computing is a headwind. Shares have underperformed its industry year to date. Shares have gained 5.92% over the past four weeks and there have been 4 higher earnings estimate revisions for fiscal 2025 compared to none lower. The consensus estimate has moved up as well. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Errore nel recupero dei dati Effettua l'accesso per consultare il tuo portafoglio Errore nel recupero dei dati Errore nel recupero dei dati Errore nel recupero dei dati Errore nel recupero dei dati
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
ADT (ADT) Remains Well-placed to Achieve FY 2025 Guidance
ADT Inc. (NYSE:ADT) is one of the During Q1 2025, the company delivered a record recurring monthly revenue balance and customer retention, highlighting the strong demand for its innovative offerings. ADT Inc. (NYSE:ADT) remains well-placed to achieve FY 2025 guidance with strong growth in cash flow and EPS, while making investments in expanded capabilities to grow. For FY 2025, the company expects total revenue of between $5,025 million – $5,225 million, and adjusted EBITDA of $2,650 million – $2,750 million. A technician demonstrating a security solution for a corporate office. ADT Inc. (NYSE:ADT) continues to roll out its new proprietary ADT+ platform, which is a next-generation smart home security offering integrating professional monitoring with Google Nest devices. The company has been increasing customer penetration as a percentage of new adds. ADT Inc. (NYSE:ADT) launched ADT+ Translator, converting signals from legacy sensors into a format that ADT+ can process. This offers a faster, lower-cost transition from older equipment that has been designed to function seamlessly with the ADT+ platform. ADT Inc. (NYSE:ADT)'s total revenue in Q1 2025 came in at $1,267 million, up 7%. Monitoring and related services (M&S) revenue growth was mainly aided by higher average prices, partially offset by lower volume. ADT Inc. (NYSE:ADT) offers security, interactive, and smart home solutions. Ariel Investments, an investment management company, released its Q1 2025 investor letter. Here is what the fund said: 'Leading provider of automated security solutions ADT Inc. (NYSE:ADT) also traded higher on solid earnings results. Despite the challenging macro backdrop, the company is demonstrating pricing power, a historically low attrition rate and growing free cash flow generation. Notably, ADT continues to improve its balance sheet through significant debt reduction. Management expects to maintain this momentum into 2025 with strong cash flow growth as well as a new share repurchase plan. With ADT's industry-leading brand and national presence, coupled with its Google and State Farm strategic partnerships, the company is well-positioned to be a prime beneficiary of growing demand for smart home technologies, including fully monitored residential security.' While we acknowledge the potential of ADT as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 13 Cheap AI Stocks to Buy According to Analysts and 11 Unstoppable Growth Stocks to Invest in Now Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Sign in to access your portfolio
CNET
7 days ago
- Business
- CNET
This Spendy Thermostat Is Paying for Itself by Cutting My Energy Bills and It's Still 14% Off
Amazon Prime Day sale: The Nest Learning Thermostat Gen 4 is available for $240 -- a discount of 14% or $40 -- as a deal that's still live post Amazon's July Prime Day sale. Since price is the biggest drawback of this thermostat, this deal makes snapping one up much more compelling. CNET's key takeaways $240 for a smart thermostat may sound like a tough deal, but mine is set to pay for itself this summer thanks to lower heating and cooling payments. Automated Eco Modes make energy saving easy, even if you don't have time to plan out your schedule. Local utility rebates may also help make the thermostat more affordable. My Nest Learning Thermostat Gen 4 is astonishingly beautiful -- I've had people stop in my hallway just to look at the shifting rain and sunset animations. But that beauty, and all the smart features inside, is pricey: Normally priced at $280, it's one of the most expensive smart thermostats I recommend. So why take the plunge? Because Nest's Eco modes are so effective, my Nest smart thermostat is set to pay for itself this summer through electricity savings -- and I barely had to do anything except set it up. Here's how it all works, and why I'm glad I kept this Nest smart thermostat around. Read more: One Tiny Gadget Is the Unsung Hero of Today's Smart, Energy-Saving Home My experience with the Nest Learning Thermostat 4th-gen A Nest Thermostat showing lightning. Google Nest With a larger dial than ever, the Nest Learning Thermostat 4 is well-suited to showing off, both aesthetically and with data-backed insights on indoor and outdoor temperatures, humidity and more. My favorite customization is putting the outside weather at the forefront of the display, which shows moving weather graphics that capture the current state of the skies, from falling snow to twinkling stars. Google's research indicates people save around 10% to 15% on their energy bills with a smart thermostat, which works out to an average savings of $132 to $145 per year. Nest's reports help you chart savings and troubleshoot energy problems. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Those numbers reflected my results fairly well. From early fall to the colder winter months, I saved around $10 to $15 per month with Nest's tweaks and by balancing my electricity usage with less costly natural gas heating. As the months warm up that number is growing higher, and I expect to save around $20 per month in the summer heat -- enough to pay for my thermostat sometime this year. After that, it's all gravy. Smarts behind a pretty face Nest Thermostat 4th-gen showing app controls, sensor settings and more. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Given permission, the thermostat learns my habits and adjusts heating and cooling levels in response. Auto-Eco mode, for example, will turn the thermostat down automatically if it senses there's no activity in the house, which saves more money. Adaptive Eco will take care of the details for me, while Eco Hold will stick to a money-saving temperature that I choose manually. The Auto-Scheduling function does something similar, since it learns how I adjust the thermostat throughout the day and mimics my comfort preferences over time so I don't have to keep tweaking the settings. Google Home makes it easy to apply weekly schedules in moments. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Adjust the temperature manually at any time and when you see the green leaf icon appear, you'll know you're in savings mode. That makes it easy to adjust on the fly when the temperature feels about right, but you'd like to squeeze more savings out of the thermostat. Nest's Eco Modes also generate reports so I can see monthly progress and note any sudden problems or unexpected energy use. If there's a strange jump in energy use, the scheduling may be off, or you may be using electricity-hungry devices too much (my space heater and I are guilty of this). There's also a gamified "leafs" competition against other users that I don't care much about, but it's there for those interested. Satellite sensors and other ways to save Thermostat satellite sensors are one of the best inventions for home heating. Tyler Lacoma/CNET My Nest model also came with a satellite sensor, a little white puck that wirelessly transmits the temperature where it's placed to the thermostat. I can tell the Nest Learning Thermostat 4 to turn on or off based on its own built-in readings, on the readings of the satellite sensor, or a combination of both. Sensors like these help thermostats be more accurate based on where you actually spend time. For example, if I'm going to be spending the evening in a movie session at my TV or computer, I can bring the sensor along and when those heat-exhaling electronics heat up my personal space, the thermostat will take that as a sign to shut off early. The Nest thermostat smart home integrations are very limited, but that does make it easier to set up. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Then there are the peak hours programs, under names like Peak Perks, Rush Hour Rewards, Nest Renew from Google and other labels that indicate a partnership with utility companies. If your local utility supports these programs, you can join up and your Nest thermostat will make additional small changes throughout the day, avoiding the often-pricier peak hour energy use when possible. You give up some control of your thermostat with programs like these, which may displease some users, but it does enable you to save more. Many energy providers will also offer bonuses or rebates you can use to recoup the cost of an expensive thermostat even faster. A quick note about setup: If you're worried about installing the thermostat in your home, there's not much to fear from the process. I have a full guide here, but as long as you practice electrical safety and snap a picture of your current thermostat wiring, setting up the Nest Thermostat Gen 4 and getting it connected to Wi-Fi shouldn't be a problem, especially with Google Home app walkthroughs. The specs for the Nest Learning Thermostat 4th-gen Diameter: 3.9 in (98 mm) Depth: 1.1 in (29 mm) Weight: 5.7 oz (161.8 g) Display: 2.7 inch (68 mm) diameter circular liquid crystal display (600 x 600 pixels) Sensors: Soli sensor for Motion Sense, Temperature, Humidity, Ambient light Power consumption: Less than 1 kWh/month Power source: HVAC system wiring C (common) Wire: Not required Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11n (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz) HVAC system compatibility (Check your Nest compatibility here): Most 24V systems, including gas, electric, oil, forced air, heat pump, and radiant. It can control: Heating 1, 2, and 3 stages (W1, W2, W3); Cooling 1 and 2 stages (Y1, Y2); Heat pump with auxiliary and emergency heat (O/B, AUX, E); Fan (G, G2, G3); Power (C, RH, RC); Humidifier and dehumidifier (HUM, DEHUM); Ventilation (VENT). Smart home: Works with Google Home and Matter Warranty: 2-year standard for retail, 5-year standard for HVAC Pros Certifications: Energy Star-certified CNET's buying advice Nest's thermostat is one of the best high-end models I've seen. Tyler Lacoma/CNET It turns out a $240 smart thermostat isn't such a tough sell when I can see how mine will pay for itself in just about a year. It offers a plethora of energy-saving modes that users can pick from to rack up monthly savings -- most of them automated without requiring tinkering or calculators. I've even seen it available with rebates and free installation to speed up that payoff date. While Nest's circular thermostats have always had a flair for the dramatic, the Gen-4 model blows away the competition with a larger design that makes the most of its beautiful LED lighting and presence sensing to light up whenever someone walks past. The bright green leaf icon always shows instant savings for those who don't want to dive too deep into app management. Those who do want to explore the app will find settings for seasons, learning behaviors, weekly schedules and lots more.
